Saturday, August 29, 2009

It was just like any other night,... then I received a phone call from famed baker Fat Boy Bakes inviting me for dinner at Bangsar Seafood Garden Restaurant... Sure, I was only a replacement for Capn' Hook who couldn't make it at the last minute, but 1) invited by top baker+blogger, and 2) attending as another top blogger(Babe_in_kl)'s replacement hot date?

Loved the sauce - definitely heart stoppingly rich but was delish.(Don't take too much of it - you'll get jelak in no time)******

Egg Omelettes with Crab Meat (S: RM 15++, M: RM 25++, L: RM 35++)

A stack of ommelettes...

This simple dish was presented very interestingly... Taste wise, it was ok. Wish there could have been more crab meat but overall, no complaints.******

Stewed Chinese Cabbage with Dried Scallops & Mushroom (RM 50++)

The cabbage...

Looks are deceiving! Despite the unappetising brownish colour of this dish, it turned out to be my favourite of the night. :) I loved that the cabbage had been lovingly stewed till it was full of flavour and had a nice textural mix (tender) against the bits of sliced chicken and shitake mushrooms.******

Boneless Chicken with Fruits Sauce (M: RM 20++, L: RM 40++)

The Chicken...

The sauce was a little too sweet for my tastebuds, but otherwise, this chicken was nice - so tender and juicy. :)******

Braised Bean curd Combinations (S: RM 15++, M: RM 25++, L: RM 35++)

The Bean Curd...

Another hit that night - the combination of the delicate beancurd with the accompanying chunks of crispy veges.******

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: Thank you MR FBB for the invite - I don't mind at all that it was last minute :), Jade for making the night possible and all the other food bloggers that night - lovely to meet you all. :)

Monday, August 24, 2009

A new Japanese restaurant in BSC, with fish freshly flown in twice weekly....

Whilst the newly renovated Bangsar Shopping Center is not at it's full capacity yet (most shops are still not opened/ re-opened), there are already quite a few new and interesting dining choices... and since my parents are fans of Japanese food, I thought we would check out Kuriya.

I really liked that you felt like entering a special resort-like section, which is a stark contrast from the snazzy but cold looking decor of the main BSC shopping area:

The border between the modern and the resort style....

Inside, the restaurant was sophisticated yet warm, due to the natural theme, with lots of wooden surfaces:

Sophisticated but cosy setting....

The range of food on the menu is moderate, with some interesting dishes that I had not seen in other restaurants. The friendly waitress also pointed out that they had 3 selections of fish that day that had been freshly flown in (market rates apply).(I was sad to see that they didn't have bento sets for dinner, but I guess in a way that's good because that forced me out of my comfort zone to try different things....)

Overall, not bad - chunky pieces of fish, an aneroxic prawn and some vegetables deepfried till beautifully golden brown and served with a thick cheese sauce which had a nice savoury miso aftertaste.:)

Lastly, the Gindara Umemushi (Cod in Plum Sauce) (RM 30++):

Cod, it's good....

To me, this was the stand out dish that night - I loved how the naturally oily and rich cod fish was balanced out with a sour yet sweet yet slightly salty plum sauce. :)(Would definitely order again)

Sorry, didn't try any dessert this round... (Was saving some calories for a girls' night out with my friends, over drinks and cake at Leonardo's....)... but there were some of the usual Japanese ice creams and a few other things. :)

So, it's: Classy setting (without being too "atas"), good selection of interesting and yummy Japanese food, friendly service (but just a bit blur), ok prices BUT some dishes are more on the higher price range (because freshly flown in twice weekly), some overpriced dishes (RM15++ for garlic fried rice?) and no bento/ sets for dinner...

Friday, August 21, 2009

My feet were burning stumps of pain, a present from the evil but glamourous Fashion Gods.

I thought to myself sadly: "Geez, I think I may be getting too old for this... hmmmm, or maybe I just need more comfortable shoes?"....

Anyway, I hobbled out of the club (trying my best to maintain my composure... but how to look nice when in so much pain? Haha...) and went into the Terrace Bar, and had a seat (Sweet bliss!). Then, I noticed a poster saying that Relish had taken over the food there! :) :)

I wasn't hungry enough to order a burger that night but I did order the French Fries (RM 9++):

I could ask for nothing more of a french fry - chunky slices of potato deep-fried to perfection... crunchy on the outside yet moist on the inside, without any of that horrid starchy aftertaste that you can get with some badly done fried taters....

So, all in all: Yum. :)I just hope the burgers are up to their past standard (keeping my fingers crossed).

So, it's: Yummy yummy french fries (and the burgers are supposed to be good too - dare not say because did not try yet at this new location), opens till really late BUT Jalan Ampang can get quite jammed, and if you're not the clubbing kind then you might find it a bit hectic to be surrounded by all the scantily clad young-uns.... :) (Maybe)

(And on another note.... Big wake up call: I only know how to eat, but I CAN'T COOK TO SAVE MY LIFE. OMG, so shy lah.........)(Oh... also, please visit Mr Nyonya Chef's website for lots of delicious authentic nyonya recipes - they look simple, but of course it takes lots of practice to perfect)

Monday, August 10, 2009

A new organic food restaurant in Solaris serving up healthier versions of Asian and Western meals....

While wandering around Solaris looking for a place to have lunch, we came across this fairly new restaurant a few doors down from Canton Fare.

" Eat Healthy, Be Healthy " it told us (that's the restaurant's tagline)... So, curious about whether the food would be nice, we decided to try it out.

Inside Healthy Recipe Cafe, the setting is simple and comfortable:

Simple, comfortable setting inside...

There is a pretty good selection of various Asian and Western dishes (rice/ noodle dishes as well as things like Grilled Chicken).

That day, we tried:1) Salmon Fish with Beehoon (RM 12.90 nett):

Light Soup with Beehoon, served with Grilled Salmon...

Not bad - I wouldn't mind ordering this again. This dish resembles the salty+sour taste of fish head noodles but without the milky taste, and has a heart-friendly slice of grilled salmon on the side. Of course, being a healthy version, the taste is definitely more on the ching (lighter) side.(Oh, and the vegetable acar was nice)

2) Oriental Sauce Grilled Chicken with Garlic Bread (RM 12.90 nett):

The Grilled Chicken...

Not sure if I'd go for this again. Taste wise it's not bad (fairly tender pieces of chicken, topped with a slightly sweet Oriental sauce and served with a small salad and some garlic bread).... but the serving was quite small. (Can't be helped I guess, organic chicken is expensive)Still, I was satisfied knowing that I had a relatively healthy meal that afternoon. :)

Not bad. I'm not sure if they added any sugar (tasted a wee bit sweet) but it was refreshing, and the price is pretty decent (as opposed to some other places that charge an arm and a leg for fresh juices).

So it's: Interesting selection of Asian and Western dishes, comfortable ambience, decent prices, food is supposed to be organic/ more healthy (and still tastes quite nice btw) BUT serving may be a bit too small for some and please keep in mind that the food is supposed to be healthier so = less salt/ oil/ etc... therefore, it cannot be nicer than normal (less healthy) food, ok? :P.

Friday, August 07, 2009

I hope you're having fun making your fortune. You chose your path all those years ago, and let me walk away...... so please stop making a random appearance like a wall fungus that just won't go away.

Especially since you have never stuck by your promise of being friends, or keeping in touch, or just being a decent human being.Liar.LIAR.LIAR.

I don't know why you chose to continue pushing my buttons. You should know me well enough to realise what can piss me off: STOP PRETENDING TO BE A NICE GUY! ARE YOU SO AFRAID OF WHAT PEOPLE WILL SAY IF YOU DIDN'T SMS ME TO WISH ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY?

J

PS/ I hate being bitter but it happens, I blame it on the hormones (convenient, I know). I suspect they keep my scars from healing completely.

There are things that I know I shouldn't do, but I end up doing anyway because I just can't resist the temptation..... :)

The Grilled Bacon with Cherry Tomato..........

I am referring to my recent supper of sinful but yummy bacon, wrapped around a succulent cherry tomato and grilled to perfection (Cherry Bacon, RM 6++ per stick)... I care not to think about how many millllllions of calories there probably are in these morsels of pork because they were worth it. :) :D

Oh, be warned though: No matter how good it looks, please do not attempt to eat it immediately after it is served.

Why? Because the juices from the cherry tomato are like molten lava when fresh off the grill - your tongue will be pretty much cooked.(I found out the hard way unfortunately)

So, it's: Cool place to chill out with friends over drinks and some yummy finger food (also, I've heard that the mains are nice too) BUT nothing really bad except that service deteriorates when it gets packed, and I think that there are a few hungry mosquitoes in the area....

Monday, August 03, 2009

I am actually quite conflicted on how to write this review: 1) I loved everything about Rama V - the ambience, the food, the service...BUT2) I didn't pay a cent for dinner.

Anyway, that aside, I'll try to be as objective as possible. :)... and honestly, the ambience at Rama V near blew me away.

From the outside, it just looks like a normal "restaurant in a bungalow" type setting:

Rama V from the outside....

But inside, it feels like you've been transported to a restaurant in the middle of a beautiful Thai resort:

The dining area inside....

Beautiful lush garden setting outside, with private dining "huts"....

Inside one of the private dining "huts"....

That night, our wonderful hosts at Rama V had arranged for us to sample their new concept: The Chef's Table Menu - a seasonally changing set with exotic off the menu specialties, arranged for small dinner parties of 6 (must pre-book).

We tried so much that night so I'll try to keep it short:APPETIZERS:1) Traditional Thai Hor's Doeuvres:I had never tried this before so it was interesting - (apparently it's a very traditional Thai appetizer) where you pick up your leaf and fill it with whatever variety of fillings strike your fancy:

A selection of fillings to choose from....

Step 1: Roll leaf and fill up with whatever you want from the platter....

Step 2: EAT! *chomp*....

I didn't think I'd like it, but I did. :)(Except that I over ambitiously put too many cili padi in my first leaf. Ow.)

2) Crispy Rice Cakes With Minced Chicken and Shrimp Sauce:

A plate of crispy rice cakes....

Overall, simple but nice. Crunchy without being starchy and balanced with the light sauce.

3) Shrimp Cakes With Sweet & Sour Sauce:

The Shrimp Cakes....

Also, simple and nice. Crisp on the outside, meaty and moist on the inside. :D

4) Flower Shaped Dumplings with Minced Chicken and Peanuts:

The beautiful Flower Dumplings....

These were so pretty! :) :)And so yummy too - slightly sticky, nutty, crunchy... all at the same time.

SALADS:5) Pomelo Salad with Australian Abalone & Shrimp:

The yummy pomelo salad....

This was one of my favourites for the night - juicy pods of pomelos mixed with nuts and super fresh slices of abalone and shrimp... refreshing and delicious. :D

6) Marinated Raw Prawns with Chili and Ginger Sauce:

Some like it raw....

I didn't like this. But only because I don't like raw meat/ seafood. :((It was really fresh though - I tried one piece. I'm sure those who like sashimi will like this too)

SOUP:7) Tom Yam with Scotland Clams, served in Young Coconut:

A bowl of fire water....

Wah. This almost knocked my socks off. :)Individually prepared, this Tom Yam really packs a punch - spicy, silky smooth and a bit sweet (because stewed in the young coconut, and not just ladled in later),... and packed with succulent strips of scotland clams.

MAINS:8) Roast Duck Curry with Lychee:

THE Duck Curry....

AWESOME.('Nuff said)

9) Sauteed Live Spider Crab in Thai Chili Paste:

The gigantic spider crab, served in chili paste....

This poor crab had been happily walking around just a couple of minutes before it was served, and you could definitely taste it. Mmmm... The meat was juicy and so "sweet" that you really didn't need the sauce.(Although the sauce tastes great with rice)

10) Steamed Soon Hock Fish with Lime Juice and Chili Sauce:

The simple steamed Soon Hock....

This poor fella had also been alive shortly before arriving at our table.

I almost feel guilty...... but I guess it's not our fault that it's so delicious, is it? :)

DESSERT:We were all thoroughly stuffed by the end of all the mains, but when they brought out the dessert "menu" - small displays of the available desserts presented on a platter - we just could not resist. :)

Choices, choices....

13) Pumpkin Custard:

The pumpkin custard....

Hmmm.. interesting - this is the first time I've tried something like this. Smooth, creamy custard, with the natural sweetness of pumpkin.

14) Tapioca cubes with Coconut Sauce:

The Tapioca cubes with Coconut Sauce....

This was simple and nice, slightly chewy cubes of tapioca dipped with the sweet cocount sauce.

15) Banana Fritters:

The banana fritters....

I completely agree with Joe on this - would have been perfect if they had some ice cream served with this. Otherwise, it was ok (but I didn't like the shaved coconut mixed in the batter.. It's just me - I don't really like coconut that much)

To cap off the review, here are some out takes from the night. :)- Bloggers hard at work!:

At the end of the night, (with my pants feeling significantly tighter! Boo...) what I can say is that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The food was fantastic, the ambience was really nice... and of course, the great company made it even better.:)

Some important details:This special Chef Table Menu is definitely on the higher end (around 300 bucks per person, only upon prior booking) but we did scan the menu and were pleasantly surprised to see that Rama V has a very varied menu to suit all budgets - you can definitely have a 3 course meal here for around RM 55++ per person, just don't be so greedy to order all the exotic seafood.

Anyway, (this post is getting too long!) lastly and very importantly:- Thanks to dahling Miss Hot Stuff Ciki for extending the invite *hugs*- Thanks to Danny & Andre @ Rama V for being the perfect hosts, and- And thanks to Joe, Nigel & Allan and Unka Leong for being such great company that night. :)

Overall: Beautiful restaurant, attentive service, delicious Thai food for a range of prices (up to you - you can dine here for < 50 bucks, or > 200 bucks per person, depending on what you order) BUT traffic in the KLCC/ Jalan Tun Razak area can be very bad.

Summary Sheet:

Rama V Fine Thai Cuisine @ Jalan U-Thant, KL

Taste: 8Ambience : 8Service : 7Price** : This dinner was approx. RM 300 per person, but usually can eat for RM 55++ per personParking: OK